Friday, February 9, 2001

In Canada, an Advisory Committee Recommends More Spending on Distance Education By DAN CARNEVALE A report released on Thursday urges Canada's government and higher-education institutions to invest heavily in online education so that Canadian programs can remain competitive with Internet courses created elsewhere. The report recommends providing broadband accessibility across the country, developing course content that focuses on Canada's needs, studying effective ways of teaching over the Internet, and sustaining a generous level of financing for online programs. The report was prepared by the Advisory Committee for Online Learning, which is made up of the presidents of Canadian colleges and universities, along with senior business executives. The committee advises both the government's ministry of industry and the council of provincial education ministers. David Johnston, who is chairman of the advisory committee and president of the University of Waterloo, said that the Canadian government had already shown an interest in supporting online education, and that the report just tells the government how to go about it. Already, institutions are collaborating with each other on developing programs, and the federal government is working with the provinces in deciding how to support the programs, he said. If Canada doesn't create a top-notch online-education program, Mr. Johnston said, its residents will turn to the many competitors that are on the rise around the world, including established institutions and new, for-profit businesses. The demand for online education is growing in Canada, Mr. Johnston said, as people there look for increased access to lifelong learning. "It's a growing appetite at every level of society for more learning," he said. "Equality of opportunity is such an important part of our history." But members of the Canadian Association of University Teachers were quick to criticize the report and its emphasis on online education. "We know Web-based courses cost more and a substantial number of students fail to complete their online courses," said Tom Booth, president of the association, in a statement. "Students traditionally excluded from postsecondary education are the most dependent on face-to-face interaction and the least able to deal with the frustration and isolation of Web-based distance education." The council of provincial education ministers will be meeting in April, and members are expected to discuss how to act on the recommendations made in the report. Brian Tobin, Canada's minister of industry, said in a statement that "Canada is well positioned to be a world leader in online learning, and this report will serve as a valuable guide." Easy-to-print version E-mail this article

Medical educators propose guidelines to strengthen and clarify conflict-of-interest policies Texas law obligates students to report hazing, but gives immunity to those who do, court says Feminist theologian's lawyer may have nullified her settlement with Boston College Experiment exposes potential hole in physics' foundation 2 aviation students at Southeastern Oklahoma State U. die in plane crash Pair of armed robberies causes a 'sense of panic' at U. of Tennessee dormitory British panel seeks bonuses for top universities that enroll low-income students Association of African Universities calls for the introduction of tuition Blind students fault E.T.S. for not making computerized tests more accessible In Canada, an advisory committee recommends more spending on distance education